The Folio Society is known for putting together some stunning editions of classic works of literature, and in recent years, of some of the best-known science fiction and fantasy novels, like Ursula K. Le Guin’s Left Hand of Darkness and Neil Gaiman’s American Gods and Anansi Boys. Now, the publisher is releasing a new edition of another famous fantasy epic: George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, with the first installment, A Game of Thrones, to be released on July 16th, 2019.

The Folio Society announced the book earlier this spring, but the exciting bit of news for bookshelf purists is that the publisher revealed that it’s going to be doing the rest of the series as well: A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, and A Dance with Dragons (and, whenever Martin finishes them, The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring). Readers who preorder the book now will get a copy from the first print run. The publisher didn’t say when the sequels will follow, only that they will come eventually, after they’ve worked on finishing the art and design of each installment.

Like the rest of The Folio Society’s offerings, A Game of Thrones will come with original artwork by artist Jonathan Burton and an introduction by fantasy author Joe Abercrombie. The publisher says that Martin had a hand in the book as well, approving the design and artwork for this edition. Unlike the regular version of the novel, The Folio Society’s edition will come in two volumes, and it doesn’t come cheap: it’ll cost $195 for the set.

At that price, this series will be destined for the shelves of serious bibliophiles, collectors, and Game of Thrones fans. But given The Folio Society’s track record, this should be a book that will be worth it. Each volume comes with six full-page illustrations (and two double-page illustrations), as well as chapter illustrations. It’ll also come out with a cloth-bound, fold-out map of Westeros. Abercrombie will provide an introduction to the book, talking about how the fantasy series changed the fantasy genre forever.

https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/16/18624595/game-of-thrones-george-rr-martin-the-folio-society-collectors-edition-book-joe-abercrombie